By The Roofing Brief Team · Last reviewed: October 2026
Conklin roofing systems are commercial roof coating and single-ply membrane systems made by Conklin Company Inc., which lists executive offices in Kansas City, Missouri and manufacturing in Shakopee, Minnesota, and sells through independent distributors rather than retail stores. The line covers five liquid coatings (Rapid Roof III, Benchmark, PUMA XL, Equinox and Affinity) plus Flexion 2.0 PVC and Outpost TPO membranes, and the Rapid Roof III data sheet (February 2026) says residential properties are not warrantable.
Conklin Company Inc. is the manufacturer. Local businesses named “Conklin Roofing”, or ads offering “Conklin roofing systems near me”, are almost always independent distributors or contractors; Conklin’s own NDL Designated Contractor sheet states that Conklin does not design, install or construct commercial roofs and owns no interest in any firm that does.
Key numbers at a glance
Conklin’s 2026 Rapid Roof III and Benchmark data sheets put each coat at 1.9 gallons per 100 sq ft for 13.5 dry mils, its warranty documents cap coatings at a 20-year No Dollar Limit (NDL) term, and its NDL fee schedule starts at $0.15 per sq ft with a $2,000 minimum. Those five figures decide most bids.
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard acrylic coverage | 1.9 gal per 100 sq ft per coat, 13.5 dry mils per coat, base coat plus top coat | Rapid Roof III and Benchmark data sheets, 02/11/2026 |
| Ponding limit on coating jobs | 36 sq ft or more of water 1/4 in deep 48 hours after rain is unacceptable; bird baths capped at 5% of the roof | Rapid Roof III data sheet, 2026 |
| Longest coating warranty | 20-year NDL on PUMA XL and Affinity systems | NDL Charges and Requirements, rev. July 2025 |
| NDL warranty fee | $0.15 per sq ft under 100,000 sq ft; $0.10 per sq ft over 100,000; $2,000 minimum | NDL Charges and Requirements, rev. July 2025 |
| Residential roofs | Not warrantable | Conklin coating data sheets; NDL sample warranty, exclusion K |
| Rapid Roof III, 5 gal pail | $424.99 to $681.48 at two online sellers, as listed October 2026 | ECR Roofing and Construction; Jace Industries |
What is Conklin roofing?
Conklin roofing is the Roofing Systems division of Conklin Company Inc., which says on its roofing systems page that it formulated acrylic roof coatings in 1977. The division sells fluid-applied coating systems for metal, single-ply, modified bitumen, built-up and spray foam roofs, plus PVC and TPO membranes, to commercial contractors who buy through Conklin distributors.
Roofing is one of six divisions. Conklin’s Our Story page lists more than 130 products across Agronomics, Animal, Health and Home, Lawn and Garden, Roofing Systems and Vehicle products, all “marketed through a vast nationwide network of Independent Distributors.” That is why the same company that sells Rapid Roof III also sells fertilizer adjuvants and motor oil.
Conklin’s 2024 and 2025 warranty documents give 551 Valley Park Drive, Shakopee, MN 55379 for the warranty department, and its 2026 website gives 3951 N Kimball Drive, Kansas City, MO 64161 (816-326-6200) for the company. The official website is conklin.com, and its roofing documents library holds the spec guides, data sheets and warranty forms cited on this page.
Who owns the Conklin company?
Charles W. Herbster owns Conklin Company Inc. According to the owner biography on conklin.com, Herbster became a Conklin distributor on December 1, 1976, bought 52% of the company from the Conklin family in 1992 and became sole owner in 1994. He is Chief Executive Officer and, since May 2017, also President and Chief Operating Officer.
The same biography describes Herbster as a Falls City, Nebraska farmer who also owns Herbster Angus Farms, Carico Farms, North American Breeders and Agri-Solutions (bought in 2019). Conklin calls itself “farmer-owned.” Conklin is privately held and does not publish revenue; a 2016 Mother Jones article cited a Business for Home estimate of $28 million in 2015 revenue across all divisions.
Conklin roof coatings: every product and its data sheet values
Conklin’s current coating line is four acrylic-based products and one polyurethane. Rapid Roof III is the standard acrylic, Benchmark is the premium acrylic with hail and ICC-ES listings, PUMA XL is a polyurethane-modified acrylic top coat used over Benchmark base coat, Equinox is a cold-weather acrylic, and Affinity is a single-component polyurethane for metal, membranes and concrete.
| Product | Resin | Coverage per coat | Dry mils per coat | Solids by volume | Elongation / tensile | Initial reflectance / SRI | Sheet date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid Roof III | Acrylic | 1.9 gal / 100 sq ft | 13.5 | 54% | 300% / 230 psi (ASTM D412) | 0.85 / 107 | 02/11/2026 |
| Benchmark | Acrylic | 1.9 gal / 100 sq ft | 13.5 | 54% | 340% / 410 psi | 0.85 / 107 | 02/11/2026 |
| PUMA XL | Polyurethane modified acrylic | 1.9 gal / 100 sq ft over Benchmark base | 13.5 | 52% | 250% / 360 psi | 0.86 / 109 (aged values pending) | 2022 |
| Equinox | Acrylic, low temperature | 1.6 gal / 100 sq ft | 13.5 | 66% | 250% / 230 psi | 85% (sell sheet) | 08/24/2020 |
| Affinity | Single-component urethane | 1.1 gal / 100 sq ft | 13.5 | 71% | 600% / 2,000 psi (ASTM D2370) | Not listed | 02/08/2022 |
All three acrylic sheets cite a pass under ASTM D6083 (2005 edition), the standard specification for liquid-applied acrylic roof coatings. Aged reflectance is 0.69 for Rapid Roof III and 0.72 for Benchmark on the 2026 sheets. Both sheets print an “aged SRI” of 0.84 and 0.88, which read like reflectance values rather than SRI numbers, so check the CRRC Rated Products Directory before using them in an energy model.
Application windows differ by product. Rapid Roof III, Benchmark and PUMA XL need at least 40°F, no more than 100°F ambient and 120°F surface, a surface 5°F above dew point and humidity under 80%. Equinox drops the floor to 36°F but caps ambient at 70°F and surface at 90°F. Affinity carries a VOC content of 244 g/L against 47 g/L for Rapid Roof III, which matters in districts with architectural coating VOC limits.
Rapid Roof III top coat comes in white plus colors; ECR Roofing and Construction lists gray, blue, tan, green, black, brown, barn red and mystic gray in October 2026. PUMA XL lists white plus eight non-reflective colors (black, blue, brown, gray, green, Mystic gray, red and tan). Conklin sells all three acrylics in 5 gal pails, 55 gal drums and 220 gal mini-bulks.
Rapid Roof HV still appears in Conklin’s 2017 spec guides and its 2022 warranty matrix with a 10-year term, but the October 2026 online catalog has no product page for it, and the MR System guide notes that Rapid Roof HV “is not classified for exterior fire exposure.” Ask a distributor whether HV is still made before accepting it on a bid.
Conklin single-ply membranes: Flexion 2.0 and Outpost TPO
Conklin sells two 60 mil thermoplastic membranes. Flexion 2.0 is a PVC/KEE copolymer-alloy membrane classified under ASTM D4434 Type III, and Outpost is a TPO membrane. Both use a Kevlar-reinforced fastening edge and heat-welded seams, and both come in 78 in by 100 ft full rolls.
| Spec | Flexion 2.0 (PVC/KEE) | Outpost (TPO) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 60 mil overall, 27 mil minimum over scrim | 60 mil nominal | Flexion 2.0 data sheet; Outpost product page |
| Rolls | 78 in x 100 ft, 39 in x 100 ft, 24 in x 60 ft unsupported | 78 in x 100 ft, 39 in x 100 ft, 24 in x 60 ft unreinforced | Conklin product pages, October 2026 |
| Breaking strength (grab) | 270 / 240 lbs minimum warp / fill (ASTM D751) | See Outpost data sheet | Flexion 2.0 data sheet |
| Reflectance / SRI | 0.86 initial, 0.70 aged; SRI 108 initial, 84 after 3 years; CRRC ID 0848-0012 | Not on product page | Flexion 2.0 data sheet |
| Low temperature bend | -40°F (ASTM D2136) | Not on product page | Flexion 2.0 data sheet |
| Fire | See UL listing | UL 790 listed | Outpost product page |
| Warranty | “Up to 25 years” (product page); 20-year NDL (fee schedule) | 20 years (2022 matrix); 20-year NDL | Conklin documents |
The two Flexion figures do not conflict so much as describe different documents: the 2022 warranty matrix gave the older Flexion XL a 25-year material warranty, while the July 2025 NDL fee schedule lists Flexion 2.0 among 20-year NDL single-ply systems. Get the warranty form, not the product page, attached to the contract.
Which roofs Conklin systems are approved for
Conklin publishes a separate spec guide for each system, and each guide sets a substrate rule that can disqualify a roof before any coating is bought. The four coating guides share one drainage rule, at least 1/4 in per foot of slope on metal and no more than 36 sq ft of quarter-inch ponding 48 hours after rain, but differ on primers, fabric and total film build.
| System | Approved substrates | Key prep or disqualifier | Total build | Spec guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MR System (metal restoration) | 18 to 26 gauge bare steel, galvanized, aluminum or factory-finished panels | Not over field-applied finishes; roofs at 3:12 or less must be fully primed with Encase Metal Primer; rust not covered by any Conklin warranty | 13.5 dry mils per coat; 48 dry mils at fabric-reinforced seams | MR System guide (2017) |
| Membrane Coating | Aged, adhered or factory-approved mechanically fastened EPDM, PVC, TPO, CSPE, CPA, mod bit | No ballasted membranes; Benchmark and PUMA XL not approved on EPDM; WAC II clean, Tack Coat primer at 250 to 300 sq ft per gal; 3 to 10+ adhesion tests by roof size | Top coat no less than 12 dry mils | Membrane Coating guide (2017) |
| Fabric-Reinforced | Polyiso (1.5 in minimum), plywood, concrete, smooth BUR, mod bit, approved membranes | Remove BUR over 2 roofs or 8 plies, over 30% alligatored, or graveled; stop if moisture is 10% or more above normal | 38 dry mils at 3.9 gal per 100 sq ft with 38 in Spunflex | Fabric-Reinforced guide |
| Spray foam (SPF) | 2.8 to 3.0 pcf foam, 1.5 in minimum, 40 psi compressive | Coat 2 to 24 hours after spraying; foam no rougher than coarse orange peel | 27 dry mils minimum (acrylics); 22 for Affinity | SPF guide (2026) |
Two prep rules catch owners out. Conklin’s MR guide requires galvanized metal to be acid-etched with a 1:20 solution of Rust Off, and caulking of every exposed fastener head and every seam wider than 1/8 in. The Membrane Coating guide requires adhesion tests: 3 on roofs under 5,000 sq ft, 6 on 5,000 to 20,000 sq ft, 10 on 20,000 to 80,000 sq ft, and 1 per 10,000 sq ft above that.
For the mil-thickness logic behind those builds, see our roof coating mil thickness chart.
Conklin code listings: UL, FM, ICC-ES, Miami-Dade and ENERGY STAR
Benchmark and PUMA XL carry the strongest listings in the line, including ICC-ES ESR-4668, reissued August 2026. Some badges on Conklin’s data sheets are older than they look, including an ENERGY STAR label for a program EPA ended in 2022, so the table dates each one.
| Listing | What it covers | Status as of October 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| UL 790 Class A | Fire classification for Rapid Roof III, Benchmark, PUMA XL, Equinox | Claimed on 2020 to 2026 sheets; assembly-specific, check the UL directory | Conklin data sheets |
| UL Class 4 hail, file TGFU.R8435 | Benchmark and PUMA XL | Claimed on current sheets | Benchmark and PUMA XL sheets |
| FM 4470 severe hail | Benchmark only | Claimed on 2026 Benchmark sheet | Benchmark sheet; MR System guide |
| ICC-ES ESR-4668 | Benchmark and PUMA XL fire class, wind uplift, FM 4470 foot traffic, 2015 to 2024 IBC | Active, compliance program through August 2028 | ESR-4668 |
| Miami-Dade NOA 13-0326.04 | MR System coatings | Cited in a 2017 spec guide; confirm it is current in Miami-Dade’s product control search | MR System guide (2017) |
| Florida approval FL9178-R0 | PUMA XL, linked from conklin.com | Archived; issued under the 2017 Florida Building Code | Florida Building Commission |
| ENERGY STAR | Printed on Rapid Roof III, Benchmark product pages | EPA ended the roof products program June 1, 2022 | ENERGY STAR |
ESR-4668 gives two wind uplift numbers worth quoting in a bid review: 105 psf allowable for Benchmark base and top coat over 2 in polyiso on 15/32 in plywood (system W1), and 97.5 psf with a PUMA XL top coat (system W2). The report also requires a 1/4:12 minimum slope and, over metal, a 22 gauge minimum galvanized steel deck for the coated foam systems.
On Conklin’s roofing systems page, the “Benchmark ICC listing” link points to an older ICC-ES address (er-5203); the current Benchmark and PUMA XL report is ESR-4668, linked above.
Conklin warranty terms by product
Conklin’s warranty terms run from 10 years for Rapid Roof III to 20 years for PUMA XL and Affinity NDL systems, and every term requires a written application approved by Conklin. The 2022 warranty options brochure is the only Conklin document that lists terms product by product.
| Product | Material warranty (2022 matrix) | NDL option (July 2025 schedule) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid Roof III | 10 years | Not listed | MR, Fabric-Reinforced, Membrane Coating, SPF, concrete |
| Rapid Roof HV | 10 years | Not listed | No current product page |
| Benchmark | 12 years; 15 with an extra top coat on foam; 10 on concrete | Not listed | Not approved on EPDM |
| PUMA XL | 20 years; 10 on concrete | 20-year NDL (no EPDM) | Over Benchmark base coat |
| Equinox | Up to 10 years, non-prorated | Not listed | Product page, October 2026 |
| Affinity | Not in 2022 matrix | 20-year NDL | MR, Membrane Coating, SPF |
| Flexion XL / Flexion 2.0 | 25 years (Flexion XL) | 20-year NDL (Flexion 2.0) | Slip sheet required over polyiso, plywood and OSB (2022 matrix) |
| Outpost TPO | 20 years | 20-year NDL | Same substrate list as Flexion |
Two rules apply across the table. Standing seam metal roofs are eligible only for a 10-year Material or Total Manufacturer’s Warranty and need pre-approval based on rib profile, and spray foam warranties require BASF foam bought from Conklin Roofing Systems. A material warranty covers no labor and does not cover leaks caused by improper application.
Several contractor sites that rank for Conklin reviews describe Conklin warranties as non-prorated. Conklin’s own sample 20-year NDL warranty (form dated 03/29/2024) says proration begins in year 10 at 10% per year, gives the example that a claim in year 15 is compensated at 30% of the system cost, and limits compensation to Conklin products, excluding labor. Read the actual form your contractor will register.
What a Conklin NDL warranty costs and requires
A Conklin NDL warranty costs $0.15 per sq ft on roofs under 100,000 sq ft and $0.10 per sq ft above that, with a $2,000 minimum, $500 for each reinspection, and a $2,000 inspection plus $650 administrative fee to transfer it to a new owner. The contractor must be NDL-designated and must apply at least 21 days before work starts.
| Roof size | Rate | Fee at the rate | Fee charged | Effective cost per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,000 sq ft | $0.15 | $750 | $2,000 (minimum) | $0.40 |
| 10,000 sq ft | $0.15 | $1,500 | $2,000 (minimum) | $0.20 |
| 13,334 sq ft | $0.15 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $0.15 (break-even with the minimum) |
| 50,000 sq ft | $0.15 | $7,500 | $7,500 | $0.15 |
| 95,000 sq ft | $0.15 | $14,250 | $14,250 | $0.15 |
| 120,000 sq ft | $0.10 | $12,000 | $12,000 | $0.10 |
The table is Roofing Brief arithmetic from Conklin’s July 2025 fee schedule. Because the rate drops for the whole roof above 100,000 sq ft, a 120,000 sq ft roof pays $2,250 less than a 95,000 sq ft roof. The schedule does not say which rate applies at exactly 100,000 sq ft, so get that in writing.
Conklin’s NDL owner responsibilities sheet sets duties that fall on the building owner, not the contractor:
- Report a leak to Conklin in writing within 30 days; notice to the contractor does not count, because the contractor is not Conklin’s agent.
- Pay a $500 investigation cost if Conklin finds the leak is not covered, within 30 days of the invoice, or the warranty is canceled.
- Follow the Scheduled Maintenance Checklist and keep records; roof traffic is covered only on Conklin walkways.
- Expect no coverage for wind gusts over 55 mph measured 35 ft above ground, hail, saltwater or brackish exposure, chemical fumes, or dirt streaking (sample NDL warranty exclusions).
- Expect no warranty on cold storage buildings without a ventilated plenum, heated tanks, or roof areas that pond more than 24 hours (NDL Designated Contractor sheet).
The 24-hour ponding rule for NDL roofs is stricter than the 48-hour test on the coating data sheets. Our guide to ponding water on a flat roof covers slope fixes such as tapered insulation and crickets.
Non-NDL warranties have their own gate. Under the 2022 brochure, a Material Warranty application is due within 30 days of completion with at least 5 before-and-after photos and 1 core sample, and a Total Manufacturer’s Warranty needs a phone interview, a $1,500 pre-inspection fee, 3 core samples, a post-inspection, and proof the contractor has already installed 5,000 sq ft of the same system.
Do Conklin’s mil numbers add up?
Yes, within about 0.8 mil. Dry film thickness equals 1,604 times volume solids divided by square feet per gallon. Conklin’s 1.9 gallon rate includes 15% for application loss and 10% for texture, so the net film on the roof is about 1.52 gallons per 100 sq ft, which works out to 13.2 dry mils for Rapid Roof III against the 13.5 mil spec.
| Product | Listed rate (gal / 100 sq ft) | Net rate after 25% allowance | Volume solids | Calculated dry mils (net) | Calculated dry mils (gross) | Sheet spec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid Roof III | 1.9 | 1.52 | 54% | 13.2 | 16.5 | 13.5 |
| Benchmark | 1.9 | 1.52 | 54% | 13.2 | 16.5 | 13.5 |
| PUMA XL | 1.9 | 1.52 | 52% | 12.7 | 15.8 | 13.5 |
| Equinox | 1.6 | 1.28 | 66% | 13.6 | 16.9 | 13.5 |
Roofing Brief arithmetic: net rate = listed rate divided by 1.25; dry mils = 1,604 x volume solids x net gallons / 100. The calculation also tests Conklin’s sell-sheet claim that Equinox “needs about 20% less coating”: by the data sheet rates, 1.6 gallons against 1.9 is 15.8% less per coat for the same 13.5 mil target.
The practical check on the roof is a wet film gauge. At 54% volume solids, a 13.5 dry mil coat of Rapid Roof III needs about 25 wet mils (13.5 divided by 0.54), so a reading near 25 on fresh coating is the number to ask the crew to show you.
Conklin prices: what a 10,000 sq ft metal roof needs
Conklin does not show prices to anonymous visitors on conklin.com; its distributors set them. Two online listings for a 5 gal pail of Rapid Roof III in October 2026 were $424.99 at ECR Roofing and Construction and $681.48 at Jace Industries, a self-described authorized Conklin distributor. That 60% spread is the first thing to price-check on a bid.
| Line item (10,000 sq ft MR System, illustrative) | Conklin rate | Quantity | At $424.99 per pail (ECR) | At $681.48 per pail (Jace) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field top coat, Rapid Roof III | 1.9 gal / 100 sq ft | 190 gal = 38 pails | $16,149.62 | $25,896.24 |
| Horizontal end-lap seams, assumed 1,000 lin ft | 2.5 gal per 200 lin ft (1.75 + 0.75) | 12.5 gal | Base coat price not listed by either seller | |
| Vertical seams, assumed 4,000 lin ft | 2.5 gal per 320 lin ft | 31.25 gal | Base coat price not listed by either seller | |
| Top coat material per sq ft | n/a | n/a | $1.61 | $2.59 |
| NDL fee if eligible (not for Rapid Roof III) | $0.15 / sq ft, $2,000 minimum | 10,000 sq ft | $2,000 | |
The seam lengths are assumptions for illustration; take them from your panel layout. Top coat material alone at these listings comes to $1.61 to $2.59 per sq ft, before base coat, primer, Spunflex II fabric, Kwik Kaulk, labor and the contractor’s margin. HomeGuide puts acrylic roof coating at $0.50 to $3.00 per sq ft installed across all brands, so a full warranted Conklin system will usually price toward or above the top of that range.
For coating-versus-reroof math on whole buildings, see our commercial roof restoration cost guide, which compares warranted coating systems at $2.80 to $4.00 per sq ft against $5.00 to $11.00 for a tear-off membrane (Custom Coatings Inc.).
How Conklin sells: distributors, MLM questions and complaints
Conklin sells through Independent Distributors, and its become a distributor page describes “direct sales businesses” built on Conklin products. That structure is the source of the “Conklin roofing pyramid scheme” searches: a 2016 Mother Jones article called Conklin a multilevel marketing operation and quoted two MLM critics, while Conklin presents the model as a business opportunity.
Multilevel marketing is not illegal by itself. The FTC’s consumer guide on MLMs and pyramid schemes says some MLMs are illegal pyramid schemes and draws the line on whether pay comes mainly from sales to real customers or from recruiting. A building owner buying a roof is a retail customer, so the questions that matter are about the contractor and the warranty paperwork.
Public complaint threads on the first page for “Conklin roofing systems reviews” in October 2026 fall into three groups: a Facebook group post about slow answers from Conklin’s roofing division, YouTube discussions of the distributor model (Glick Roofing on Roofing Insights; distributor Warren Yutzy of Seamless Roofs), and a Reddit r/antiMLM thread that criticizes the business model, praises the membrane and spray coating systems when installed correctly and warns against the foam. The two highest-ranking “reviews” pages are published by Conklin installer networks (Choice Roof Contractor Group and White Roofing Systems) that sell inspections.
Conklin’s warranty documents do not publish a warranty claims rate, so the “less than one-half of one percent” figure on Choice Roof Contractor Group’s 2014 post cannot be checked against a Conklin source.
Is Conklin a good company?
On the public record, Conklin Company Inc. is a long-running, privately held manufacturer with active third-party listings, but buyers should judge the installing contractor separately. Conklin formulated its first acrylic roof coating in 1977, its Benchmark and PUMA XL systems hold an active ICC-ES report through August 2028, and the BBB profile for its Shakopee operation shows accreditation since February 8, 1973 and an A+ rating in October 2026.
The weak points are documentary rather than chemical: a Florida approval that is archived, a Miami-Dade NOA cited only in a 2017 spec guide, ENERGY STAR badges four years after EPA ended that program, and warranty marketing by installers that does not match the proration in Conklin’s own sample NDL form. A BBB rating measures complaint handling, not roof performance.
Conklin vs Henry, Gaco and APOC acrylics
Conklin’s acrylics are built heavier per coat than the retail acrylics they compete with, and they are sold only through distributors with commercial warranties. Henry 587 Dura-Brite, for comparison, goes on at 1 gallon per 100 sq ft per coat at retail, while Conklin specifies 1.9 gallons for 13.5 dry mils.
| Product | Chemistry | Rate per coat | How it is sold | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conklin Rapid Roof III | Acrylic, ASTM D6083 | 1.9 gal / 100 sq ft, 13.5 dry mils | Conklin distributors; 10-year material warranty for trained applicators | Conklin data sheet, 2026 |
| Henry 587 Dura-Brite | 100% acrylic | 1 gal / 100 sq ft, 2 coats | Retail (Home Depot); 10-year limited | Henry 587 TDS |
| APOC 247 Sun-Shield | Acrylic | 1.5 gal / 100 sq ft, 2 coats | Retail and distribution | APOC product page |
| GacoFlex S20 (silicone, for contrast) | Moisture-cure silicone | 1.5 gal / 100 sq ft smooth, about 22 mils | Commercial applicators | Gaco S20 brochure |
If water stands on the roof longer than Conklin’s 48-hour limit, an acrylic is the wrong chemistry regardless of brand; compare options in our best silicone roof coating rankings. For retail acrylics a homeowner can buy and warrant, see the best elastomeric roof coatings, and for every Henry line by data sheet, our Henry roof coating review.
Which Conklin system fits your roof?
Match the roof to the system before comparing prices, because a Conklin warranty only issues when the substrate, the 1/4 in per foot slope rule and the contractor all meet the spec guide. The table maps common situations to the Conklin system its documents name, or to the rule that rules Conklin out.
| If your roof is | Conklin option | Threshold or rule |
|---|---|---|
| A house or other residential property | None warranted | “Residential properties are not warrantable” (data sheets, NDL exclusion K) |
| Exposed-fastener metal, 18 to 26 gauge, factory finish | MR System with Rapid Roof III, Benchmark or PUMA XL | Prime the whole roof with Encase at 3:12 or less; no field-applied paint underneath |
| Standing seam metal | MR System, case by case | 10-year maximum warranty; pre-approval by rib profile |
| EPDM | Membrane Coating with Rapid Roof III and Tack Coat | Benchmark and PUMA XL not approved on EPDM; no ballasted roofs |
| Aged TPO, PVC or mod bit, wanting 20 years | PUMA XL or Affinity NDL | NDL-designated contractor; apply 21 days before start |
| Ponding over 36 sq ft at 1/4 in after 48 hours | Fix slope first (Acclaim Pond B Gone urethane slope corrector) | Acrylic systems unacceptable as is |
| Built-up roof with gravel, over 2 roofs or 8 plies | Tear off before Fabric-Reinforced | Fabric-Reinforced guide removal rule |
| Job scheduled at 36°F to 60°F | Equinox | Minimum 36°F; ambient maximum 70°F |
| Spray foam recover | SPF System with Benchmark, Rapid Roof III or PUMA XL | 1.5 in foam minimum; BASF foam bought from Conklin for any warranty |
How to vet a Conklin contractor before signing
Vetting a Conklin contractor means running 7 checks against Conklin’s own forms, starting 21 days before the job, not trusting the brand name on the truck. Conklin’s NDL sheet says only NDL-designated contractors can offer NDL warranties and that the designation “in no way designates the contractor as an agent of Conklin,” so every promise needs to trace back to a Conklin form.
- Ask which warranty the bid includes (Material, Total Manufacturer’s or NDL) and get the blank Conklin form for it from the documents library; check proration, labor and the 55 mph wind exclusion.
- For an NDL bid, ask the contractor to show the written notice to Conklin filed at least 21 days before the start date and the fee quote ($0.15 or $0.10 per sq ft, $2,000 minimum).
- Confirm the roof passes the spec guide: slope of at least 1/4 in per foot, no ponding beyond the 48-hour test (24 hours for NDL), the correct gauge and finish for metal, and no EPDM under Benchmark or PUMA XL.
- Get the gallons per square and dry mils in the contract: 1.9 gal per 100 sq ft per coat for Rapid Roof III, Benchmark and PUMA XL, 13.5 dry mils per coat, and 38 dry mils total for Fabric-Reinforced.
- Ask for a wet film gauge reading of about 25 mils (wet) per acrylic coat during application, and photos of every stage; Conklin’s material warranty needs at least 5 before-and-after photos.
- Confirm material receipts are from Conklin: warranties require the contractor to buy all material for the roof and supply order numbers, and SPF warranties require BASF foam bought from Conklin Roofing Systems.
- Find distributors through Conklin’s Find a Distributor page, then compare the contractor’s training dates; applicants must be current on Conklin Roofing Systems training.
Our roof coating contractor checklist covers insurance, lien waivers and the questions to ask any coating applicator, Conklin or not.
Frequently asked questions
Is Conklin a good company?
Conklin Company Inc. has made roof coatings since 1977, holds an active ICC-ES report (ESR-4668) on Benchmark and PUMA XL through August 2028, and shows BBB accreditation since 1973 with an A+ rating in October 2026. Some listings it advertises are dated, including an archived Florida approval and ENERGY STAR labels after the 2022 program end, and installer quality varies by contractor.
Who owns the Conklin company?
Charles W. Herbster owns Conklin Company Inc. Conklin’s owner biography says he became a distributor in 1976, bought 52% of the company from the Conklin family in 1992 and became sole owner in 1994. He is CEO and, since May 2017, also President and COO. Conklin is privately held, with offices in Kansas City, Missouri and manufacturing in Shakopee, Minnesota.
What is Conklin roofing?
Conklin roofing is the Roofing Systems division of Conklin Company Inc. It makes fluid-applied commercial roof coatings (Rapid Roof III, Benchmark, PUMA XL, Equinox and Affinity), Flexion 2.0 PVC and Outpost TPO membranes, and spray foam components, sold through independent distributors. Its acrylics go on at 1.9 gallons per 100 sq ft per coat for 13.5 dry mils.
What is the longest-lasting roof system Conklin offers?
By warranty term, Conklin’s longest coverage is the 20-year No Dollar Limit warranty on PUMA XL and Affinity coating systems and on Flexion 2.0 PVC and Outpost TPO membranes. The 2022 matrix listed the older Flexion XL at 25 years. Conklin’s sample NDL form prorates from year 10 at 10% per year, and residential roofs are not warrantable.
Is Conklin roofing a pyramid scheme?
Conklin sells through Independent Distributors in what its website calls direct sales, and a 2016 Mother Jones article described it as a multilevel marketing company. The FTC says some MLMs are illegal pyramid schemes, depending on whether pay comes from retail sales or recruiting. For a building owner, the roof warranty depends on Conklin’s written forms and the contractor’s designation, not the sales structure.
How much does Conklin Rapid Roof III cost?
A 5 gal pail of Rapid Roof III listed at $424.99 at ECR Roofing and Construction and $681.48 at Jace Industries in October 2026. At 1.9 gallons per 100 sq ft, one pail covers about 263 sq ft per coat, so a single top coat on 10,000 sq ft takes 38 pails, or $16,150 to $25,896 in material.
Does Conklin warranty residential roofs?
No. Conklin’s data sheets for Rapid Roof III, PUMA XL, Equinox and Affinity state that previous field-applied coatings and residential properties are not warrantable, and exclusion K of the sample 20-year NDL warranty repeats that residential properties are not warrantable. Homeowners who want a manufacturer warranty on a DIY coating usually buy a retail product such as Henry 587, which carries a 10-year limited warranty.
Can Conklin coatings go over EPDM?
Rapid Roof III can, through Conklin’s Membrane Coating System: clean with WAC II, prime with Tack Coat at 250 to 300 sq ft per gallon, and top coat within 24 hours of priming. The Membrane Coating guide says Benchmark and PUMA XL are not approved on EPDM, ballasted membranes are excluded, and the July 2025 NDL schedule lists PUMA XL membrane coating with “NO EPDM.”